Resilience has a cost

RESILIENCE has become a buzz word in the development circle mainly because of the threat of climate change. Climate change has many unintended (usually adverse) consequences such as frequent visit of destructive typhoons, rising incidence of forest fire due to intense heat wave, rising seawater level resulting in the inundation of low-lying areas or islands, outbreaks of plant and animal pests and diseases, introduction of new virus strains, etc.

To be able to counter the adverse effects of climate change, there are recommended "mitigation" (addressing causes) and "adaptation" (adjustment) measures that nations or communities can collectively implement. In turn, such responses are part of the so-called building of resilient societies or communities.